Removable cap assembly

ABSTRACT

A removable cap assembly having a cap, a stopper and a sipper tube. The cap has a curved side wall which has an inner and outer surface. From this wall extends a top portion. A boss extends perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss has a bottom portion and a top portion. A circumferential rib extends perpendicularly from the top portion of the boss. The boss and rib define an opening in the cap. A stopper is provided that is dimensioned to seal the opening of the cap. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and circumferential rib. The stopper includes a disc-shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion that extends therefrom. Additionally, a first groove that is dimensioned to receive the bottom portion of the boss is positioned in the base around the wall portion. Also, a second circumferential groove is positioned in the top portion of the wall portion. This second, groove is dimensioned to receive the rib. The stopper has a hole for receiving a sipper tube.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of allowed U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/302,733, filed on Nov. 22, 2002, which in turnis a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/652,737, nowissued U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,814, originally filed on Aug. 31, 2000, theentirety of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved removable cap assembly for ananimal feeding bottle.

BACKGROUND

Small rodents such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters are used inscientific research and they are sometimes kept as pets by children.Typically, such animals are held in small cages where they are providedwith nesting material along with food and water. Solid food is kept in afeeding device. So that the cage remains dry and relatively orderly,liquids, such as water and medicines, are usually stored in a specialbottle with a dispensing device that allows small portions to bereleased to the animal.

A common type of dispensing device, widely used in the laboratory animalindustry, is a sipper tube that is connected to a bottle filled withliquid. The tube points downward and is accessible to the animal. Oftenthe hole in the tube is relatively small and, therefore, surfacetension, along with a partial vacuum that is created in the bottle,prevents liquid from flowing freely from the bottle. Other sipper tubesinclude ball bearings disposed therein to block the hole at the bottomof the tube. The bearing is free to move—and when it does—it allowsliquid to exit in a controlled manner.

In the prior art, it is well known that a sipper tube—such as the onejust described—can be coupled to a bottle with a stopper made of rubber,neoprene, or another similar material. The stopper is placed in themouth of the bottle where it is held by friction fit. Similarly, a holein the stopper is dimensioned to hold the sipper tube by friction fit.With the bottle inverted, the sipper tube is accessible to an animal,and limited amounts of liquid can flow out of the bottle as needed.

The use of a simple friction fit between the stopper and the bottle hasat least one major limitation. Because the bottle is inverted, theweight of the liquid tends to loosen the stopper. Furthermore, thestopper is loosened by vibrations and motion caused by an animal usingthe bottle. These loosening effects may eventually cause the stopper tocome apart from the bottle, allowing liquid to escape. In some cases,animals attempt and sometimes succeed in removing stoppers from thebottle. In order to avoid these potentialities, stoppers are usuallyinserted into the bottle by hand with relatively high force. However,this action may cause health problems, such carpal tunnel syndrome, fora person who must repetitively insert stoppers into bottles. After all,typical laboratories utilize large quantities of these bottles andstoppers.

One example of a removable cap assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,042,440 to Murray et al. This invention makes steps to overcome thelimitations—discussed above—of standard, friction fit stoppers. Thepatent teaches an assembly that includes a stopper which has a neckdisposed between two lip structures. The neck is dimensioned to receivea flange that is disposed on a cap. Finally, a sipper tube is providedwhich is positioned within a hole in the stopper, to extend through theopening. The patent also teaches a cap that needs to be turned only 180degrees in order to seal the bottle.

While the device described in this patent helps to solve some problemsinherent in prior art, at least one major limitation is intrinsic in itsdesign. The lip and neck structure, which is held in place by a singlecircumferential flange, tends to lack rigidity. Thus, the problemremains that the sipper tube can be wriggled, allowing leakage of thebottle contents or the removal of the sipper tube. Moreover, wrigglingof the sipper tube can allow air to enter the bottle, eliminating thepartial vacuum and causing liquid to flow freely from the sipper tube.An additional concern with this prior art device is that the upper lipis exposed on the outside of the cap. The lip tends to collect dirt andgerms which can be harmful to the animals or those handling the bottleassemblies.

Another problem with this prior art device is manner in which the sealis crated after the cap is turned 180 degrees. The 180 degree turn isachieved by having a single continuous thread on both the bottle andcap. The cap bottoms out after the cap has turned 180 degrees. As such,the cap is compressed along only half of the sealing surface.

Thus, what is needed is an improved removable cap assembly thatovercomes prior art limitations. Specifically, these limitations includethe rigidity and security with which the sipper tube is held by astopper in the bottle. Additionally, problems with regard to cleanlinessstem from design features in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improvedremovable cap assembly for use in conjunction with a bottle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedremovable cap assembly that can be easily attached to and detached froma standard threaded bottle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved removable cap assembly that provides a relatively rigid supportfor a sipper tube.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedremovable cap assembly that has multiple thread starts for use inconjunction with threaded bottle.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, a removable capassembly comprising a cap, a stopper and a sipper tube. The cap has acurved side wall which has an inner and outer surface. From this wallextends a top portion. A boss extends perpendicularly from the topportion. The boss has a bottom portion and a top portion. Acircumferential rib extends perpendicularly from the top portion of theboss. The boss and define an opening in the cap. A stopper is providedthat is dimensioned to seal the opening of the cap. The stopper ismaintained in the cap by the circumferential rib. The stopper includes adisc-shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion that extends therefrom.Additionally, a first groove that is dimensioned to receive the bottomportion of the boss, is positioned in the base around the wall portion.Also, a second circumferential groove is positioned in the top portionof the wall portion. This second groove is dimensioned to receive thecircumferential rib. The stopper has a hole for receiving a sipper tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a removable cap assemblyconstricted in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 a is a cross sectional view depicting the cap of FIG. 1 detachedfrom a standard threaded bottle, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 b is a cross sectional view depicting the stopper of FIG. 1detached from a standard threaded bottle and configured to be coupledwith the cap shown in FIG. 2 a, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 a is a cross sectional view depicting the cap detached from astandard threaded bottle, in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 b is a cross sectional view depicting the stopper detached from astandard threaded bottle and configured to be coupled with the cap shownin FIG. 3 a, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 a is a cross sectional view depicting the cap detached from astandard threaded bottle, in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 b is a cross sectional view depicting the stopper detached from astandard threaded bottle and configured to be coupled with the cap shownin FIG. 4 a, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 a is a cross sectional view depicting the cap detached from astandard threaded bottle, in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 b is a cross sectional view depicting the stopper detached from astandard threaded bottle and configured to be coupled with the cap shownin FIG. 5 a, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 a is a cross sectional view depicting the cap detached from astandard threaded bottle, in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 b is a cross sectional view depicting the stopper detached from astandard threaded bottle and configured to be coupled with the cap shownin FIG. 6 a, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 a is front view of a standard bottle, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 b is a top view of the standard bottle shown in FIG. 7 a, inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 a is a cross sectional of a plug detached from the stopper shownin FIG. 4 b, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 b is a cross sectional of a plug inserted into the stopper shownin FIG. 4 b, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is directed toa removable cap assembly 10. The salient features of the presentinvention, according to one embodiment, are shown in FIG. 1. Althoughnot limited thereto, assembly 10 includes a sipper tube 20, a cap 30,and a stopper 40 that, together, can be coupled to a bottle mouth 50.The stopper fits in the cap to help provide a water tight sealing devicefor covering mouth 50. Tube 20 is then held by stopper 40 to provide ananimal feeding bottle.

Sipper 20 can be one of many commercially available and well-known tubeshaped devices that are designed to dispense small amounts of liquid ondemand. The simplest of these devices, shown in FIG. 1, includes avertical portion 22 and an angled portion 24 that is bent about an elbow23. Tube 20 has a hole 26 at its end. The hole is dimensioned so that arelatively small amount of liquid can flow when the liquid's surfacetension is broken. It is understood that many different types of sippertubes can be used in conjunction with assembly 10 and the invention isnot limited to use with tube 20 shown in FIG. 1.

Cap 30 is preferably formed of plastic, but it can also be formed frommetal or any other appropriate material. Cap 30 includes a curved sidewall 37. As shown in FIG. 1, wall 37 may include serrations on its outersurface in order to provide an improved gripping surface for a user. Theinner surface of wall 37 is formed with threads so that cap 30 can beattached to bottle mouth 30. Extending from wall 37 is a top portion 32of cap 30. Now considering FIG. 2 a along with FIG. 1, a boss 34 extendsperpendicularly from portion 32 and together they form a T-shape incross section. Also, a circumferential rib 36 extends from the topportion of boss 34 and together they form an L-shape in cross section. Arigid cylindrical opening is defined by rib 36 that—as discussedbelow—is dimensioned to receive part of stopper 40. The opening is largeenough so that sipper tube 20 may pass therethrough. Boss 34 and rib 36serve multiple functions. Besides being configured to hold stopper 40,the they cause the entire structure of cap 30 to be more rigid. Otherfunction and advantages of this design will be discussed below.

Stopper 40 is formed from rubber, or a material with similar properties,and includes a disk-shaped base 42. A cylindrical wall portion 46 risesfrom the center of base 42 and has a hole 49 which extends through thestopper as can be seen in FIG. 2 b. A first groove 44 encircles wallportion 46 in base 42. Groove 44 is dimensioned to receive the bottomportion of boss 34 of cap 30. A second groove 48 is located on wallportion 46 in a position that corresponds to rib 36 of cap 30. In oneembodiment, a channel 45—with an upper surface 60 and a lower surface62—is formed along the bottom of base 42 and the surfaces aredimensioned to respectfully receive an upper surface 61 and innersurface 63 of bottle mouth 50. Described below are additionalembodiments of cap 30 along with corresponding stoppers 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, second groove 48 islocated at the base of wall portion 46 in a position that corresponds toa rib 35 of cap 30. In this embodiment, rib 36 is extended and serves toenclose stopper 40 when stopper 40 is inserted into cap 30. Thisenclosure helps to prevent collection of dirt between stopper 40 and cap30. As shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, a plug 80 may be provided that issized to frictionally fit within hole 49. While FIGS. 8 a and 8 billustrate such a plug as it is used with stopper 40 shown in FIG, 4 b,it is understood that plug 80 can be used with any of the stopperembodiments. Plug 80 is useful for sealing hole 49 when tube 20 has notyet been inserted into hole 49. Thus, should bottle 50 be filled withliquid before tube 20 is inserted, plug 80 can be used to preventspillage and evaporation of the contents of bottle 50. This is useful inat least two circumstances. Namely, it is often the case that bottlesmust be filled but they are not immediately needed. Also, at timesbottles are used without sipper tubes. Instead bottles are drilled withside feeding holes that can be accessed by an animal. In this instance,it is desirable to completely seal the bottle. Plug 80 allows for bothof these contingencies.

In an additional embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, wall portion46 of stopper 40 is cone-shaped and therefore has a smaller lowerdiameter as compared to its upper diameter. In this embodiment, wallportion 46 lacks second ridge 48. However, cap 30 includes rib 36 whichis designed to contain stopper 40. Instead, boss 34 of cap 30 is alsocone-shaped to complement wall portion 46 of stopper 40.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, wall portion 46 ofstopper 40 has threads 41 disposed on its outer surface which areconfigured to engage threads 35 disposed on boss 34 of cap 30. In thisembodiment, wall portion 46 lacks second ridge 48. However, cap 30includes rib 36 which is designed to contain stopper 40.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, wall portion46 of stopper 40 includes one or more depressions 43 in the form ofhalf-spheres, quarter-spheres, cones, or any other appropriate shape,that are dimensioned to receive corresponding protuberances 39 that aredisposed on boss 34. Alternatively, protuberances may be disposed onstopper 40 and depressions may be disposed on boss 34. Once again, inthis embodiment, wall portion 46 lacks second ridge 48. However, cap 30includes rib 36 which is designed to contain stopper 40.

Now turning more specifically to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b in addition to FIG.1, an explanation can be given of the manner in which assembly 10 isused. Stopper 40 is fit into cap 30 by forcing part of wall portion 46through the opening formed by boss 34 and rib 36. The diameter ofportion 46 is wider than the diameter of the opening made by rib 36.Thus, in one embodiment, beveling on the top of portion 46 aids inforcing portion 46 through the opening. Also, the material itself iscapable of being compressed and subsequently retains its original shape.Forcing the top of portion 46 through the opening allows rib 36 of cap30 to engage second groove 48 of stopper 40. Likewise, boss 34 engagesgroove 44 of stopper 40. With stopper 40 in this position, base 42 isadjacent to the top portion 32. Finally sipper 20 can be inserted intoopening 49, where it remains in place by friction fit.

As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, structural featuresof the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 allow stopper to remainengaged to cap 30. Turning first to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,cone-shaped wall portion 46 must be forced into complementary shapedopening formed by boss 34. Because the upper diameter of wall portion 46is larger than the lower diameter of the opening formed by boss 34,stopper 40 remains engaged to cap 30 unless force is applied to separatethe two components.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, threads 41 on wall portion 46 ofstopper 40 engage threads 35 on boss 34 of cap 30, so that stopper 40 isconnected to cap 30. Stopper 40 is screwed on to cap until base 42 meetsthe underside of top portion 32 of cap 30. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6 a multitude of protuberances 39 are positioned to mate withdepressions 43 so that stopper 40 remains attached to cap 30 when base42 is adjacent to the underside of top portion 32.

In one embodiment, cap 30 and stopper 40 are formed separately and thenjoined together as discussed above. Instead, stopper 40 may be moldedusing a previously formed cap 30 as a mold. In this instance, moltenmaterial is poured into cap 30 and sets to form stopper 40. This methodcan be used for any of the above embodiments of stopper 40 and cap 30.Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, stopper 40 wouldtake on a shape including threads 41.

For any of the previously described embodiments, when cap 30 is clampeddown around bottle neck 50, the underside of base 42 of stopper 40compresses to provide a biasing force to separate cap 30 from the bottleneck. So that stopper 40 seals against bottle 50 along two surfaces, asshown in FIG. 1, lower surface 62 of groove 45 engages inner surface 63of bottle 40, and upper surface 60 engages upper surface 61 of bottle40. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, four discreetthreads 55 are disposed on bottle 50 and four corresponding threads aredisposed on cap 30. It is understood that any number of threads may bedisposed on bottle 50 and cap 30. The use of more than one continuousthread allows cap 30 to be tightened on bottle 50 with less than 360degrees of turning. And, the use of multiple threads helps to create aseal along the full 360 degrees of cap 30. Attachment of assembly 10 tobottle 50 causes a tension fit and positive engagement of threads 34 and54 so that the cap need only be rotated a relatively small amount tomaintain a safe, tight fit. Furthermore, because the material is in acompressed state and seeks to expand, it provides a friction surfaceagainst the bottom of the cap further preventing any inadvertentloosening of the cap during use. Therefore, a tight seal is providedwithout twisting to engage all of the neck threads. This seal isimproved by the relatively large surface area of stopper 40 that is incontact with cap 40. As compared to prior art assemblies, this surfacearea is increased by introducing boss 34 and rib 36.

At least one major advantage of the design herein described, is thecylinder shaped opening that is generally defined by boss 34 of cap 30.Unlike prior art caps, boss 34 provides lateral support for stopper 40.This support minimizes the range of motion of tube 20. In the prior art,a lack of support resulted in tube 20 being free to move in relativelyunrestricted manner. This in turn may result in loosening the tube inthe stopper. Also, the additional surface contact between cap 30 andstopper 40 serves to assure a water-tight seal. Another advantage of thepresently described device is that the width of the opening formed incap 30 for stopper 40 is relatively smaller than prior art openings.This is another factor which helps to improve the overall rigidity ofassembly 10. Preferably the width of the opening is less than two timesthe height of the cylinder forming the opening. This further assuresrigidity of the structure. Also disclosed have been features that weredesigned improve the overall cleanliness characteristics of a bottlefeeder.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes orequivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore,to be understood that this application is intended to cover all suchmodifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

1. A removable cap assembly, comprising: a cap having a curved side wallhaving an inner surface and an outer surface, a top portion extendingfrom said curved side wall, a boss extending perpendicularly from saidtop portion, said boss having a bottom and a top, a circumferential ribextending perpendicularly from said top of said boss, said boss and ribdefining an opening in said cap, said opening having a width and aheight; a stopper dimensioned to seal said opening, said stopper havinga hole therein configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough, saidstopper being maintained in said cap by said boss and rib, said stopperincluding a disc shaped base, a cylindrical wall portion extending fromsaid base, a first groove in said base surrounding said wall portion,said first groove dimensioned to receive said bottom of said boss, asecond circumferential groove at a top portion of said wall, said secondgroove dimensioned to receive said rib; and an appliance member adaptedto be positioned within said hole and extending through said opening. 2.The assembly of claim 1, wherein said appliance member is a sipper tube.3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said appliance member is a plug. 4.The assembly of claim 1, wherein said stopper further comprises achannel formed in said base.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein saidchannel further comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, saidupper surface of said channel dimensioned to receive an upper surface ofa bottle and said lower surface of said channel dimensioned to receivean inner surface of a bottle to form a substantially tight sealstherebetween.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a threadformed on said inner surface of said curved wall.
 7. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said width of said opening is less than two times theheight of said opening.
 8. The removable cap assembly as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising a plug dimensioned to seal said hole in saidstopper.